Uralla Tigers have signaled their intentions to the rest of the Group 19 second division competition with a win over the previously undefeated Tenterfield side.
The triumph came down to the dying moments of the match when Uralla kicked a penalty goal to seal a 22-20 victory in what was the last lot of fixtures in the season before the rounds re-start this Saturday.
The visitors held a 16-10 lead at the half-time break but Uralla came out firing in the second 35 minutes to put their opponents under pressure.
“In the second-half we completed our sets, played in our structure that we have been training for,” coach Scott Swain said.
“I emphasised I believed we were well on top at that stage [half-time] so not to drop our heads and it was all positive talk at half-time.
“That positive talk showed in the second-half.
“We came out and forced the errors and frustrated them, which was the game plan.”
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Although just two points separated the sides, Swain said Uralla outplayed their opponents across the park.
“22-20 sounds very close, which it is, but I believe we were easily the better team on the day,” he said.
“It would have been terrible if we went down but we didn’t.
“We have them in the last game of the round so they can't say they went through undefeated and we will wait until the end of the second round to have another crack at them up there.”
Uralla are quietly confident heading into the second round of fixtures but Swain said they are ready to step their training up a notch.
“We will get back to training tonight, train as though we lost,” he said.
“We can work on our exit strategies out of our own red zone and really concentrate on completing our sets and fine-tuning our pattern ready to step into the second round.
“We have got a little goal, in that second round.
“If we can go through undefeated, we should be minor premiers.”
This Sunday will see Uralla travel to Walcha to take on their rivals in a local derby-style clash.
While Walcha are yet to post a win, Swain is expecting a tough battle.
“Like what a lot of people have said, and also us, the first game we had against Walcha was one of the toughest games defensively,” he said.
“Everyone knew how to play the game – tough because that is what Walcha is, hitting and tackling you hard – but unfortunately weren't quite drilled which let us score plenty of points against them.
“We know it is going to be different circumstances come round two.”
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
